The accident between a car and lorry happened on the A143 in Great Barton yesterday, less than a mile from the Compiegne Way roundabout.

The two victims, who had not been named last night but are believed to come from Suffolk, were both travelling in the car and pronounced dead at the scene. The lorry driver did not suffer any injuries.

The Neil Bomford Haulage vehicle was on its way to the company’s base in Harleston having returned from Nottingham, and had just exited the A14.

A spokesman from the company said the driver was in “great shock”, adding: “It’s a tragic accident for the two people.”

Paramedics, police and the fire service were all called to the scene around 10.45am. The A143 was closed between the Compiegne Way roundabout and the junction with The Avenue until mid-afternoon.

Pat Dacey, western district commander for Suffolk Fire and Rescue, said: “Firefighters were called to the scene of a road traffic collision at 10.43 this morning where, on arrival, it was confirmed that the driver and passenger in a car had died during a head-on collision with a lorry.

“Our crews used hydraulic equipment to remove the roof of the vehicle. This was a challenging and saddening incident and the sympathies of the fire service are with the victims and their families.”

Jim Goodchild and Paul Ellis live in a two-house terrace along the A143 just yards from where the accident happened.

Neither saw or heard the accident, and were alerted when traffic began slowing up outside their house.

Mr Ellis said he could never turn right out of his driveway during the morning rush hour, and that around two years ago someone had to be cut free after crashing their car into a telegraph pole outside his garden.

Both men said that future development in the area could help slow traffic along the road.

There are plans for 1,250 homes on land on the other side of the road, and two roundabouts would be built on the A143 to provide access to the new estate.

There have been a number of serious accidents along the A143 in recent years, with many residents calling for a bypass to alleviate pressure on the main road through the village.

A spokesman from Suffolk police said a number of people may have witnessed the accident and left the scene prior to their arrival.

Anyone who witnessed the accident should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 101.